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Ensuring the safety and unhindered movement of elected representatives forms a fundamental pillar of a functioning parliamentary democracy. In a significant legal and administrative development, the Calcutta High Court has stepped in to safeguard the official duties of a prominent lawmaker. The high court has directed the West Bengal state government to ensure robust police protection for Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra whenever she travels to her parliamentary constituency to engage with the public and manage local governance matters.

High Court Directs Deployment of Police Personnel

During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice Saugata Bhattacharya issued a clear directive instructing the state administration to assign at least two police personnel for the personal security and transit of Mahua Moitra whenever she enters her parliamentary constituency. For now, this protective measure has been sanctioned for an initial period of 30 days, with the court scheduling the next hearing of the case for October 1. The bench emphasized that it remains the solemn constitutional responsibility of the state machinery to guarantee that an elected parliamentarian can execute public service duties free from intimidation, harassment, or artificial obstacles created for political reasons.

Addressing Allegations of Harassment and Obstruction

The court’s intervention came in response to a petition filed by the Lok Sabha MP, wherein she alleged systematic political harassment and orchestrated obstructions during her local tours. Mahua Moitra submitted to the bench that whenever she attempts to visit her constituency, hostile gatherings attempt to disrupt her programs, creating a volatile atmosphere that severely impedes her ability to work for common citizens. Her legal counsel, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, presented compelling arguments before the court, detailing instances where the MP’s convoy faced aggressive protests, including having objects like eggs, potatoes, and stones pelted at her vehicle without adequate local police intervention to deter the attackers.

Court Stresses Strict Action Against Democratic Impediments

Taking serious note of the submissions, Justice Saugata Bhattacharya remarked that preventing an elected representative from accessing their own constituency or subjecting them to physical mistreatment and targeted harassment is entirely unacceptable in a democratic society. The court mandated that Mahua Moitra must proactively inform local law enforcement authorities regarding her scheduled dates and itineraries for constituency visits, enabling the police department to make foolproof security arrangements. The bench underscored that such law-and-order challenges must be dealt with strictly to ensure that members of parliament can move without fear.

Ongoing Protests and Tensions on the Ground

Even as the judicial proceedings unfolded in Kolkata, realities on the ground highlighted the persistent friction. On the very day of the court hearing, Mahua Moitra encountered fresh protests in the Chapra area of Nadia district. As the parliamentarian was departing following a local party workers’ conference, agitators surrounded her vehicle, waved black flags, and raised hostile “Go back” slogans. With the high court’s protective mandate now officially in place, the local administration faces heightened accountability to maintain peace and enforce security protocols during all future political and public engagements in the region.